Window assembly having balance means and removable sashes



March 15, 1966 w. o. JOHNSON WINDOW ASSEMBLY HAVING BALANCE MEANS AND REMOVABLE SASHES Filed Oct. 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F IG.|

INVENTOR. WALDO O. JOHNSON United States Patent 3,239,392 WINDOW ASSEMBLY HAVING BALANCE MEANS AND REMGVAELE SASHES Waldo 0. Johnson, 1419 Beall Ave, Wooster, Ohio Filed (let. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 313,120

4 Claims. ((11. 20--52.2)

The present invention relates to window assemblies, especially to metal frame windows wherein the window assembly has a balance supported removable sash therein.

In the past, window assemblies have primarily been made from wood, and many homes have old wooden windows therein that are loose, that permit an excessive amount of air to flow through and around the margins of the window sash or their frames, that require an excessive amount of maintenance thereon, or which may be unsatisfactory for other reasons. Thus, one repair performed on many older homes today is that of replacing the old window sashes with new, modern metal sashes which have an attractive appearance, which will give a substantially air-tight positioning of the sash in the window assembly, and which can be readily secured to the conventional frame means for the window. Yet a further problem with old style sliding wooden windows is that sometimes it is very difficult to have full access to these window sashes, if the window pane, for example, is broken, or if it is desired to wash the outer surface of the window pane, or if it is desired to remove the sash from the window frame.

: The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved window assembly characterized by the provision of a positively positioned but removable sash in' an efficient, serviceable window assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window assembly with a special track member therein that engages and positions the window sashes but with the track member being movable laterally in the window assembly to permitremoval of the sash at any desired time.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attractive, modern replacement window unit that can be readily attached to a window frame or opening to position modern, attractive, air-tight but removable metal frame sashes in the window opening.

A further object of the invention is to use resilient means in adjustable association with a specially contoured window sash track in a window assembly to permit compression of the resilient means for sash removal and engagement of the sashes by substantially hidden balance means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved weather resistant window assembly made from conventional materials, which window assembly has an attractive appearance and good operating characteristics over a long service life with a minimum of maintenance thereon, and to provide a specially contoured, extruded plastic track member for resilient engagement with the lateral margins of the sashes in the window assembly to position them for vertical sliding action, and to receive balance means for the sashes.

The foregoing and other objects'and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a window assembly embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal section taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, with the upper sash in a lowered position;

' FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

ice

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective of the upper end of a sash track member'of the window assembly; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom perspective of the lower end of the track member and associated means.

In referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a window assembly for slidably and removably positioning one or more window sashes and the assembly includes a pair of side stiles, a track member received in each of the side stiles for engaging and slidably positioning a sash between such track members, resilient means in the side stiles and urging the track members laterally inwardly of the assembly to engage the sash, each track member having a .pair of vertically extending chambers therein operatively connecting to the laterally inner surface of the track member by individual vertically extending slots, balance means received in each of said chambers, and means extending through said slots and connecting to said sashes to aid in lifting the sashes.

Attention now is particularly directed to the details of the structures shown in the accompanying drawings, and a window assembly of the invention is indicated as a whole by the numeral 1. The window assembly 1 is adapted to be attached to a suitable building 2 and it normally forms the prime window assembly therein.

The window assembly 1 may include a plurality of vertically extending side jamb supplemental rails, or side jambs 3 and 4 that are of generally U-shape in horizontal section with the open portion of the U extending laterally inwardly of the window assembly. The side jambs have axially outwardly extending flanges 5 and 6 thereon for filling the window opening and engaging screws 7 used to secure the side jambs to a window frame 8.

The side jambs 3 and 4 may be made from suitable material and preferably are made from extruded metal, such as-aluminum, so that the special contours and shapes shown can readily be formed for receiving and positioning components of the window assembly therein. The side jambs each have a laterally inwardly open channel portion 9 provided therein, and it is a feature of the invention that resilient means, such as a foam rubber, or polyurethane plastic strips 10 and 11 are received therein. The side jambs 3 and 4 have base sections 12 and 13 formed therein with the axially outer bases 12 being laterally inwardly positioned relative to the bases 13 for a reason hereinafter described. These foam, or cellular plastic strips 10 and 11 are of the same size and usually extend the length of the side jambs 3 and 4.

So as to position window sashes 14 and 15 in the window assembly, a side jamb liner, or track 16 is slidably received in the laterally inner section of each of the channel portions 9. These tracks 16 may be made from any suitable material, and preferably are formed from relatively light gage, low friction plastic material so that the tracks have some longitudinal flexibility even though they are provided with a pair of vertically extending chambers 17 and 18. The tracks 16 also preferably have a third vertically extending chamber 50 therein to strengthen the tracks, and holes 51 are formed in the laterally inner wall thereof at the cap screws 19 to permit adjustment of the position of the tracks in the side jambs 3 and 4.

The side jamb liners or tracks 16 are laterally adjustably secured to the side jambs 3 and 4 by suitable members, such as cap screws 19, which engage the side jambs, preferably, intermediate the bases 12 and 13 therein and hence can be used to compress the tracks into desired association with the side jambs in order to position the sashes 14 and 15 properly for sliding action in the window unit or assembly. FIG. 2 of the drawings best shows that vertically extending slots and 21, in effect, are provided in axially spaced portions of the laterally inner track surfaces and which slots connect, respectively, to the chambers 17 and 18 formed in the laterally inner margins of these tracks 16. One wall forming the chambers 17 in the tracks 16, as indicated at 22, extends laterally inwardly of the remainder of the track and is shown with an axially inwardly directing edge flange 22a thereon, usually, to form one edge portion of the slot 20. An axially inner divided surface 23 of each of the tracks 16 is formed to diverge laterally outwardly in an axially inwardly extending direction in the window assembly, again as best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and this aids in removably positioning the window sashes 14 and 15 on the tracks. The window sashes 14 and 15 each include edge or side rails 24 and 25 that have their laterally outer surfaces generally shaped complementary to the surfaces 23 for sliding but sealed engagement therewith. Each of the side rails preferably has an edge flange 26 and 27, respectively, formed thereon, which edge flange is vertically extending and is slidably received in the corresponding slot 20 or 21 provided in the track 16 to secure the sashes in the window assembly in an airtight manner for controlled sliding action in the window assembly.

It is a feature of the invention that the improved window assembly of the invention provides pairs of balance means, or springs 28, 28 and 29, 29 for engaging opposite sides of each of the window sashes 14 and 15, respectively. The upper ends of these balances are shown with hooks 30 formed thereon that can be secured in a fixed position in any desired manner, as by engaging them with the upper ends of the side jambs 3 and 4. The lower ends of the balances 28 and 29 have sash balance hooks or members 31 secured thereto each of which has an axially extending shank section and with a foot or end portion 32 provided on each hook and extending laterally inwardly of the window assembly through the slots 20' and 21. Such sash balance hook, feet, or end portions 30 are divided into oppositely extending parts 32a and 32b one of which is engaged, usually, with the lower corner edge of one of the sashes 14 and 15 whereby the sashes will be resiliently urged upwardly in the window assembly. However, so that one can position the inner sash 14, for example, in a position other than its completely closed position, a plurality of vertically spaced slots 33 are formed in the tracks 16 for engaging the portion 32a, for example, of the end section on the sash balance hook when such hook is rotated slightly on its vertical axis. However, the remaining part 32b of the end section 32 will remain in engagement with the window sash for sup port action thereon, so the desired position of the window sash can be obtained.

Suitable sash meeting rails 34 and 35 are provided on the lower sash and upper sash 14 and 15, respectively, to provide a desired sealed, or air-tight locked engagement between the meeting rails when the sashes are in their operative positions. One or more conventional sash locks 36 are slidably carried by the sash meeting rail 34 and are adapted to engage with a protruding flange 37 on the upper sash meeting rail 35 to retain the sashes in their closed, operative positions, but such sash locks 36 are accessible from the inner surface of the window assembly and can readily be slid out of engagement with the flange 37 when it is desired to move the sashes.

Any suitable members, such as a top or head jamb supplemental rail 38, and a bottom sash expander rail 39 and other conventional means can be suitably secured in the Window frame 8 and complete the positioning means for the sashes 14 and 15.

If desired, an additional cushioning strip 40 can be positioned intermediate the base 12 of the side jambs 3 and 4 to further cushion and seal the side jambs in the window assembly.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the sashes 14 and 15 can be readily removed from the window assembly by applying some laterally outwardly directed pressure to the tracks 16, preferably on one lateral margin of the window sash and then swinging the flange 26 of the inner sash 14, for example, out of the slot 20 to free the sash for inspection, repair, or washing purposes. Before removing the sash 14, the end portion 32 of the balance hook 31 is swung around to engage the part 32b with one of the slots 33, if it is desired to retain the sash balance in a fixed position when the sash is removed. It is believed that the components of the invention will provide a long service life and the metal side jambs and members used in forming the frames for the window sashes can now be made from a rust resistant or rust proof material, such as aluminum, while the tracks 16 are made from an attractive colored plastic that will require substantially no maintenance over a long service life. Thus, it is believed that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a window assembly including an upper and a lower sash each having a pair of vertically extending side rails with a vertically directed laterally outwardly extending flange on the axially outer portion thereof, one of said sashes being wider than the other, vertically extending side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein, a track received in each of said side stiles for lateral movement in the channel portion thereof, and compressible means positioned in said channel portions and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, the improvement comprising said tracks each having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash engaging slots therein connecting to separate vertically extending chambers in the track, said tracks receiving said sash side rail flanges in said slots and engaging adjacent portions of said side rails to position said sashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said tracks having inner surfaces interrupted by said slots diverging towards the axially inner surface of the window assembly to facilitate removal of said sashes, a balance means operatively received in each of said track chambers, and hook means engaging the lower end of each of said balance means and having foot portions extending through said slots and engaging with said sashes to facilitate raising said sashes.

2. In a window assembly including an upper and a lower sash each having a pair of vertically extending side rails with a vertically directed laterally outwardly extending flange on the axially outer portion thereof, vertically extending side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein, a track received in each of said side stiles for lateral movement in the channel portion thereof, and compressible means positioned in said channel portions and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, the improvement comprising said tracks each having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash engaging slots therein connecting to separate vertically extending chambers in the track, said tracks receiving said sash side rail flanges in said slots and engaging adjacent portions of said side rails to position said sashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said tracks having a third vertically extending chamber provided therein, means in said third chamber connecting said tracks to said side stiles, a balance means operatively received in each of said track chambers, and hook means engaging the lower end of each of said balance means and having foot portions extending through said slots and engaging with said sashes to facilitate raising said sashes.

3. In a window assembly including an upper and a lower sash each having a pair of vertically extending side rails, one of said sashes being wider than the other, vertically extending side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein, a flexible track having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open sash engaging slots therein connecting to separate vertically extending chambers in the track received in each of said side stiles for lateral movement in the channel portion thereof, compressible means poistioned in said channel portions and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, said tracks engaging peripheral portions of said side rails to position said sashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said tracks having inner surfaces interrupted by said slots diverging towards the axially inner surface of the window assembly to facilitate removal of said sashes, a balance spring operatively positioned in each of said track chambers, and wire hook means engaging the lower ends of said balance springs and having foot portions extending through said slots engaging with said sashes, said tracks being horizontally slotted at vertically spaced portions thereof to receive said foot portions and retain a said sash at a given vertical position.

4. In a window assembly, an upper and a lower sash each having a pair of vertically extending side rails each with only one sash edge flange on an axially outer corner thereof, one of said sashes being wider than the other, vertically extending side stiles having laterally inwardly open channel portions therein, a track having a pair of parallel laterally inwardly open vertically extending sash engaging slots therein the axial margins of which are formed in said track and connect to separate vertically extending chambers in the track, a said track being received in each of said side stiles for lateral movement in the channel portion thereof, compressible means positioned in said channel portions and urging said tracks laterally inwardly, said track engaging said sash side rails with said sash edge flange extending into a said sash engaging slot to position said sashes for controlled sliding movement but being movable laterally outwardly to compress said compressible means and permit removal of said sashes, said tracks diverging towards the axially inner surface of the window assembly to facilitate removal of said sashes, a balance spring received in each of said separate track chambers, and hook means extending through said slots engaging said balance springs with said sashes to provide lifting forces on said sashes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,203,427 6/1940 Dautrick 2052.2 2,862,258 12/1958 Oehmig 20-522 3,083,419 4/1963 Pennington et a1 2052.2 3,124,850 3/1964 Johnson 2052.2 3,147,517 9/1964 Dinsmore 2052.2

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,239,892 March 15, 1966 Waldo 0, Johnson It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant, line 3, after "Ohio," insert assignor to Weather-Seal, Inc. of N. Barberton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, line 12, for "Waldo 0., Johnson, his heirs read Weather- Seal, Inc., its successors in the heading to the printed specification, line 4, for "Waldo 0, Johnson, 1419 Beall Ave. Wooster, Ohio" read Waldo O, Johnson, Wooster, Ohio, assignor to Weather-Seal, Inc. N. Barberton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Signed and sealed this 7th day of November 1967,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHERJR, EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

4. IN A WINDOW ASSEMBLY, AN UPPER AND LOWER SASH EACH HAVING A PAIR OF VERTICALLY EXTENDING SIDE RAILS EACH WITH ONLY ONE SASH EDGE FLANGE ON AN AXIALLY OUTER CORNER THEREOF, ONE OF SAID SASHES BEING WIDER THAN THE OTHER, VERTICALLY EXTENDING SIDE STILES HAVING LATERALLY INWARDLY OPEN CHANNEL PORTIONS THEREIN, A TRACK HAVING A PAIR OF PARALLEL LATERALLY INWARDLY OPEN VERTICALLY EXTENDING SASH ENGAGING SLOTS THEREIN THE AXIAL MARGINS OF WHICH ARE FORMED IN SAID TRACK AND CONNECT TO SEPARATE VERTICALLY EXTENDING CHAMBERS IN THE TRACK, A SAID TRACK BEING RECEIVED IN EACH OF SAID SIDE STILES FOR LATERAL MOVEMENT IN THE CHANNEL PORTION THEREOF, COMPRESSIBLE MEANS POSITIONED IN SAID CHANNEL PORTIONS AND URGING SAID TRACKS LATERALLY INWARDLY, SAID TRACK ENGAGING SAID SASH SIDE RAILS WITH SAID SASH EDGE FLANGE EXTENDING INTO A SAID SASH ENGAGING SLOT TO POSITION SAID SASHES FO R CONTROLLED SLIDING MOVEMENT BUT BEING MOVEBLE LATERALLY OUTWARDLY TO COMPRESS SAID COMPRESSIBLE MEANS AND PERMIT REMOVAL OF SAID SASHES, SAID TRACKS DIVERGING TOWARDS THE AXIALLY INNER SURFACE OF THE WINDOW ASSEMBLY TO FACILITATE REMOVAL OF SAID SASHES, A BALANCE SPRING RECEIVED IN EACH OF SAID SEPARATE TRACK CHAMBERS, AND HOOK MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOTS ENGAGING SAID BALANCE SPRINGS WITH SAID SASHES TO PROVIDE LIFTING FORCES ON SAID SASHES. 